Podi mini idli

If you like cute miniature foods , then this post is definitely for you:) Podi idly is a non traditional form of idly (rice cake) , created by Indian mothers to make the kids love their food. We cannot see these kind of motherly foods in restaurants, as it definitely needs some special love for the family eating it. I have made small mini idlies and prepared this simple breakfast. But my mom used to make this using regular big idli and pack this for lunch. At that time, getting a mini idly stand was not that easy for people in my town, as all the stores we got were small and would have the traditional vessels only:) After buying all types of traditional kitchenware, we women would look out for more choices and the market is full of newer equipments now:)
The specialty of this idli is, it never gets dry because of the idli powder, sesame oil mixture. So it is a better choice than regular idli for picnics and lunch boxes too.
Also check out my sambar mini idly too.
I made it for breakfast for us on a weekday, and love the way hubby dear exclaimed and enjoyed it:) So prepare this and make your sweetheart happy:)

Mini idli coated with idli-podi

For mini idly:

Idly batter - 1 cup
ghee - 2 tbsp
mini idly stand
idly cooker or a pot to steam the idly.
Idli podi - 2 tbsp
sesame oil - as per need ( 3 tbsp)

Method:

Grease the idly plates with very little ghee.
Pour the batter in the idly holes using small spoon.
Heat the pressure cooker (idly cooker if any) with 2 cups of water and place the idly stand carefully inside.
steam the idlies for 7 to 10 minutes without keeping the pressure valve.
Then let the idly loose the heat for 5 minutes and scoop out the idlies carefully using a spoon.

Mix the idly podi with sesame oil in a  bowl.
Place the required number of mini idli in the mixing bowl and  gently stir to coat all the idlies.
If needed add more sesame oil over the idlies.
(If using regular idlies, then coat each idly individually by dipping on the prepared podi and pack for lunch in an airtight container).

Serving suggestion:

Serve as breakfast or make a lunch pack.

Oats granola

Here is a sweet snack I made for us during a weekend. I saw this recipe in foodnetwork by Alton Brown. Click to see the original version. In my recipe I have infused my own method to bake to avoid charring. Enjoy!

Oats granola.

After baking.

Spread on cookie sheet.

Mix oats , nuts with sugar.

Ingredients:
Old fashioned oats - 3 1/2 cups
dry coconut flakes - 1/2 cup
slivered almond - 1 cup
cashew - 1/2 cup
peepled pumpkin seed -  1/2 cup
dark brown sugar - 1/2 cup
maple syrup - 1/2 cup
olive oil - 1/4 cup
salt - 3/4 tsp
raisin - 1 cup

Method:
In a large mixing bowl put oats, nuts,dry fruits, coconut, sugar.
In another bowl mix maple syrup, salt, oil.
Pour the liquids to dry ingredients and mix well.
Spread this in two baking sheets.
Preheat oven to 250 deg F.
Bake for 20 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes.
Take out and let dry for 30 minutes.
Then bake again for 20 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes.
Switch off and let it get crispy in that heat for next 10 minutes.
Oats granola is ready!

Note:
We can continuously bake for 1 hour, as suggested by the original recipe too. But I do like this for a more safer method to prevent sugar from charring.